Walking, backpacking and wildcamping in the UK's wilder landscape, as well as a bit of local stuff. "No dross. Some drivel" - 'A cracking read' (The Outdoors Station Podzine Dec 2007)

Sunday, June 1

Nice: New Forest Orchid

Less than ten minutes walk away from one of my regular New Forest parking spots (and that's the only clue I'm giving!)Wandering along a popular well trodden sandy track I spotted a flash of colour to one side. Packed into a space of around 10 square metres a profusion of 30-40 orchids. Possibly a Lady Orchid? But difficult to be certain when I checked later at home based on this snapshot taken with the increasingly inadequate mobile phone camera.

A hidden delight. One of so many this year with the rain and heat leading to a huge outburst of fauna and flora. The local footpaths already becoming difficult to navigate lately with the huge growth of ground vegetation.